Best Colleges in Iowa
Known as “the land where tall corn grows,” it’s not surprising the Iowa is often known as the “Corn State.” Top industries are value-added agriculture and food production, as well as advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and fuels, and distribution and warehousing. There are 60 colleges in Iowa with Carnegie Classifications, 19 of which confer baccalaureate degrees. The oldest institution in the state is Loras College, which was founded in 1839. Sliced bread was created in the Hawkeye State, which also lays claim to the National Hobo Convention every second week in August. The “eighth wonder of the world” resides in Iowa’s jurisdiction, too, a religious monument called the The Grotto of the Redemption.
How Were the Top Schools in Iowa Chosen?
Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.
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Established by the Religious Society of Friends in 1873, William Penn University is a liberal arts institution in central Iowa affiliated with the Quakers. William Penn is home to seven academic divisions conferring degrees in over 20 majors. As a...
Established in 1921, Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary is a private, Christ-centered institution located in Ankeny, Iowa. Faith offers 13 one- to four-year undergraduate programs, as well as a Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry...
When I came to Faith I wanted to learn more about God and the Bible and I have been very impressed with the academic level achieved here. The professors are very knowledgeable in their areas of expertise and teach in a personal and interesting way...
” – Megan from Bonaparte, IAThe University of Dubuque was founded in 1852 and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The school is based in Dubuque, Iowa, and follows a “Diamond” educational model that centers itself around Community and Character, Academics, Vocation, and...
I have learned a lot here at the University of Dubuque, even though I have only been here one semester. The information that you learn over the course of a semester is about the same course load as high school, but it is in a semester. Although you...
” – Kaitlyn from El Paso, TX
Iowa Wesleyan University is a private, liberal arts institution established in the city of Mount Pleasant. IW’s campus embraces its rich history, featuring the Harlan-Lincoln House museum, the Belle Babb Mansfield Symposium, the PEO Memorial Building...
I am having a great experience at Iowa Wesleyan. The town has that small town feel and everyone is friendly. The pass rate of the NCLEX-RN exam is what brought me to IWC, it is awesome!
” – Krista from New London, IAClarke University is a private, 4-year institution established on urban, 55-acre campus in Dubuque, Iowa. Clarke offers over 40 undergraduate major and minor areas of study, as well as six graduate programs, and Adult & Continuing Education programs...
As a four year, private college, they sure teach a lot. The best thing about that is that it is all good stuff; it is not boring or useless homework. No matter if your class is in your major or not, you'll always find it valuable.
” – Rach
Grand View University is a 4-year, liberal arts institution located in the capital city of Iowa, Des Moines. GV offers 40 academic programs on their 50-acre urban campus, where students are immersed in the university’s Viking culture. On top of...
I would give Grand View University an excellent rate. They are very helpful in many ways. It has many majors to offer and the major that I was interested in.
” – Brian from Des Moines, IAMaharishi International University is built on the idea of “consciousness-based education,” which encourages students to gain deep self-knowledge while earning undergrad and advanced degrees. MIU has programs in 10 academic departments that all run...
Allen College is a school of healthcare and nursing in northern Iowa affiliated with UnityPoint Health. In addition to its bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in Nursing, Allen also confers bachelor’s degrees in Health Science, associate degrees...
The instructors are great and the ratio of students to teacher gives me plenty of individual instruction time. The campus is clean and the buildings and facilities are up to date. The educational program is comperable to other schools with higher...
” – Kimberly from North Liberty, IAFounded by the Sisters of Mercy as a nursing school in 1899, the Mercy College of Health Sciences is a Catholic health science institution in Des Moines. Mercy College offers five bachelor’s degree programs in Healthcare Administration, Health...
The faculty is very helpful and knowledgeable.
Clinical sites give a lot of different experiences and the clinical instructors are always willing to try to get you to the area you are interested in.
Classes can be a little disorganized and...
With campus situated on a hilltop formerly covered in briar patches, Briar Cliff University is a Franciscan Catholic liberal arts college in northwest Iowa. Briar Cliff confers undergraduate degrees in over 40 academic majors. For students who wish...
briar cliff university is a great school to attend. they are very warm and welcoming to their students and will bend over backwards to help you succeed. briar cliff university has done so much to help me succeed in my future career choices, and i'm...
” – Michael from Emerson, NESt. Luke’s College is a healthcare studies institution and the only hospital-based health sciences college in western Iowa. St. Luke’s offers bachelor’s degrees in Nursing and Health Science as well as three healthcare-based associate degree programs...
Located just off the banks of the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa, Emmaus Bible College is a 4-year Christ-centered private school. Emmaus is affiliated with the Open Brethren, so attendance at daily chapel is mandatory, and all classes utilize...
Emmaus is a no nonsense bible based college with an emphasis on the bible. It is a great place to learn more about the word of God and how to apply it to our every day lives. It also has a small student population which is great for getting to know...
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Palmer College of Chiropractic is a private, medical institution primarily located in Davenport, Iowa. The college has two additional campuses in San Jose and Port Orange, both of which offer only doctorate degrees. Students can finish their Bachelor...
Kirkwood Community College is a two-year institution based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The school operates eight other campuses throughout the state. The school operates its own Hotel at Kirkwood Center which is assisted by Hospitality and Culinary Arts...
I have been a student here for 1 year plus a summer semester, and all the classes I have taken have been challenging but I have been able to get through them. In every class I have learned something new and exciting everyday I had class.
” – Beth from Marion, IAIowa Western Community College is a public institution located in the city of Council Bluffs. Each student attending IWCC is assigned to an academic advisor with knowledge of specific careers to guide their academic progress. Along with vocational...
The great thing about Iowa Western Community College, is that even though it's a two-year college, it doesn't lack anything that a four-year college has. I'm loving my classes, and learning quite a bit more than I thought I would from the teachers...
” – Val from a small town in IowaDes Moines University is a graduate school of health sciences and Iowa’s largest medical school. DMU offers five master’s degrees and three doctorates through the university’s Colleges of Health Sciences, Osteopathic Medicine, and Podiatric Medicine...
Divine Word College is a private, Christ-centered institution located in Epworth, Iowa. DWC offers associate and bachelor-level degrees in Intercultural Studies and Theology & Religious Studies, along with an associate’s degree in Interdisciplinary...
Established in 1966, Southwestern Community College is a public, 2-year institution located in Creston, Iowa, with satellite centers in Osceola and Red Oak. SWCC offers over 80 associate’s degree and college transfer programs, as well as diploma and...
Southeastern Community College is a 2-year college with two campuses and two extension sites in Iowa’s Great River Region. SCC is home to seven academic departments hosting 34 degree and certificate-granting programs. The college’s IT & Multimedia...
I was very pleased with this college; every professor that I had was very supportive and educational. The small class sizes offered at this college were very good for me especially when it came to my public speaking class. I believe that my time at...
” – Ashley from Keokuk, IADes Moines Area Community College is Iowa’s largest and most diverse 2-year community college. In addition to the numerous academic programs DMACC offers on its various campuses, distance learning students can also earn four different degrees...
Each class I have taken has taught me a little bit about myself. College is so much about self discovery and that is one of the great qualities of DMACC. Not only am I learning about myself, my likes and dislikes, and who I am as a person, I am...
” – Sam from Clive, IA